Chapter 3

Leo guided me into a seat next to Chase.

Yet for the rest of the night, Chase didn't utter a single syllable to me.

When it was time to leave, my reflex was to help him up.

He shoved me away again.

Because I hadn't apologized, he refused to come home with me.

Watching his friends' car peel away into the night,

An overwhelming emptiness washed over me.

I just wanted to see if, after two years together, he would ever take the initiative to reconcile if I didn't beg on my knees.

In private, he said he loved how well I cared for him, but in public, he acted like my devotion was a joke.

Time after time, he deliberately humiliated me just to feed his pathetic ego in front of his buddies.

Yet with Chloe, he played the sweet, patient older brother.

He was gentle, smooth-talking, and attentive—giving her all the validation in the world.

A crushing sense of exhaustion settled deep in my chest.

I was a woman too. Why did I have to grovel just to be in a relationship?

Just because I was a couple of years older than him?

The more I thought about it, the more wronged I felt. The thought of breaking up flashed through my mind.

Right then, the floating text appeared again:

[Don't be sad, girl! The male lead is just deeply insecure. He thinks humiliating you in front of his bros proves his alpha masculinity. He's an idiot—don't let him drag you down.]

[Exactly! He literally spent all night waiting for her to apologize first.]

[Dry your tears, queen. A real man is right around the corner. The second lead is waiting at the intersection right now to 'accidentally' run into you!]

[Leo is such a sneaky flirt. He knows Chase is obsessed with his pride, so he hypes Chase up while secretly plotting to steal his girl.]

Skeptical, I walked toward the corner to hail a cab.

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out: "Hey, Serena. Need a ride?"